“We are concerned about the whole week, not just today,” Chief of Police Daryl Green of Lansing, Michigan, said on Sunday after a crowd of protesters and protesters gathered on the state Capitol grounds.
Few or no protesters have been seen in other state capitals, including California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
“We wanted to make sure that what happened in Washington did not happen here in Michigan,” Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw told CNN, “so we put a lot more security outside, a lot more visible security than that there normally would be. ”
Still, state and local leaders, as well as those in Washington, DC, are on high alert, with security measures in place until the day of inauguration – mainly in the nation’s capital.
Over the weekend, the streets of Washington, DC, were even more fortified, surrounded by fences and National Guard troops. As of Sunday night, 17,000 soldiers were on the ground, according to National Guard spokesman Major Aaron Thacker.
“But it is being done,” he said, “to ensure that the constitutional mandate for a peaceful transfer of power on January 20 happens.”
The weekend protests were silent
But the protests were largely small, with protesters – some of whom were armed – far fewer than the police.
Light snow fell on Sunday morning in Lansing, Michigan, but about 75 protesters and 40 counter-protesters showed up at the Statehouse. Some carried firearms and wore armor, but the protests remained peaceful, officials said.
In Texas, about two dozen armed protesters gathered near the state capitol in Austin, but met in support of Second Amendment rights, the organizer said – not in protest at the results of the presidential election.
In Denver, protester Larry Woodall said he was disappointed by the low participation in Sunday’s protest. Although he accepted Biden’s inauguration, Woodall said he wanted to show his support for Trump, suggesting that he would vote for Trump in 2024 if he ran for president again.
“Donald Trump is not a bad guy. He really isn’t,” Woodall told CNN, adding that he opposes the violence seen this month on the United States Capitol.
About a dozen people – including some who held anti-Trump placards – were at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul, which was surrounded by a tall, heavy fence. There were five armed people dressed in camouflage and carrying flags at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, who said they were anti-government libertarians who did not support Trump or Biden.
“I am a patriot, I am a veteran, I am not a racist, I am not hateful, I am not violent,” he told the station. “I’m an American and that’s it.”
DC is ‘like a combat zone’
“The National Guard – or the ancestors of the National Guard, the early days of the militia – have been part of every possession since George Washington,” he said, “but certainly not on this level and certainly not with this type of background noise. happening. ”
The deployment of 25,000 soldiers is about twice the number of National Guard members normally involved in the inauguration, said Hertling.
“It’s certainly a bit of a combat zone,” he said.
The rehearsal for the opening ceremony was postponed until Monday amid increased security concerns, said Deputy Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli, citing “online conversations” about the rehearsal day previously scheduled for Sunday / But he said “there are no specific credible threats”.
The Federal Aviation Administration extended DC airspace restrictions by posting a warning to pilots restricting non-commercial and non-military flights to Dulles International Airport, Baltimore Washington International Airport and Manassas Regional Airport between 8 am and 8 pm on Opening Day.
The bulletin warned that the government “can use deadly force” against any aircraft that is determined to pose an “imminent security threat”.
‘I encourage you to stay at home’
“It is quite clear that the (US) Capitol is itself locked as rigidly as possible,” said former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe on Sunday, adding that it is difficult to imagine a repeat of the Capitol disturbances occurring in the coming years. days. days, given the security measures in force.
“But,” he added, “we have 50 state capitals across the country that are not as protected as our national capitol, and these are the places that I fear that smaller pockets of this type of violence could really explode.”
Minnesota officials told CNN they “will continue to assess potential threats” to the state capitol, although Bruce Gordon, a spokesman for the Department of Public Security, said there are no credible threats at the moment.
The protests were quiet on Sunday, but Gordon said officials would “improve” his response and “change tactics as needed” in the coming days.
Texas will keep its state capitol and grounds closed until Wednesday, officials said, adding that they are aware of “violent extremists who may try to exploit constitutionally protected events to carry out criminal acts”.
Columbia, South Carolina officials have advised residents to stay home and away from the city center.
“Unless there is a need, this weekend and certainly on the day of the inauguration, to be in the center,” said Mayor Stephen Benjamin, “I encourage you to stay home.”
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan on Friday declared a state of emergency in connection with Biden’s tenure, allowing state officials to efficiently coordinate resources to help local jurisdictions and neighboring states.
“The State of Maryland will continue to do everything we can to protect our nation’s capital,” said Hogan, “and to ensure the peaceful transition of power.”
Priscilla Alvarez, Jamie Crawford, Lauren Fox, Omar Jimenez, Lucy Kafanov, Bill Kirkos, Jason Kravarik, Eric Levenson, Ross Levitt, Christina Maxouris, Artemis Moshtaghian, Jon Passantino, Conor Powell, Manu Raju, Raja Razek, Rebekah Riess, from CNN Silverman, Dan Simon, Greg Wallace and Whitney Wild contributed to this report.